“CWE has given me an opportunity to be part of a community of like-minded individuals who are all pulling in the same direction as me and to also finally find the answers to questions I have been asking for a long time.” – Joeci Gilchrest
What inspired Joeci’s Business?
Joeci started her business, You Name It Creatives, the day after Gov. Baker declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts due to the Covid-19 pandemic as a way to spend more time with family. She believes all families, no matter their socioeconomic situation, deserve to live in a home that makes them proud. She offers quality craftsmanship and education to families that need help keeping their homes safe and beautiful. Joeci feels that no matter the socioeconomic situation, all families deserve to live in a home that makes them proud.
Business Highlight
Joeci has gained an applicable understanding of what it takes to operate and scale a small business. By discovering her true value is family and community, she was able to transition from scaling her business toward major projects to focusing on lower-income households that other companies won’t consider. She offers home and office improvement through maintaining, repairing, or even replacing your home or office. Her services include carpentry, painting, gutter cleaning, and pressure washing. She specializes in basement finishing, deck building, and interior/exterior painting and also maintains relationships with her clients through her ongoing handyman services!
How Has CWE Helped Her in Her Journey?
Joeci’s connection with CWE helped her finally find the answers to questions she had been looking for and was not able to find anywhere else. Her coursework, student interaction and experiences with CWE have provided her with a better understanding of what it takes to operate a small-scale business and have also enabled her to discover a community of supportive and like-minded individuals who are pulling in the same direction as her. With CWE, Joeci has discovered that her true value is family and community and this knowledge has helped her transition from scaling her business towards major profits to focusing on lower-income households that other companies do not consider.
Upskill Your Employees, Build Your Supervisory Pool
This 90-hour, practical supervisory course takes strong performers and develops them into strong leaders. This course is designed for employees that were promoted to supervisor as well as those employees you are cultivating to a supervisory position.
Key topics include:
Effective Communication
Team Building
Time Management
Planning and Goal Setting
Problem Solving and Decision Making
Performance Management
100% grant reimbursement is available for companies with fewer than 100 employees or 50% reimbursement for those with greater than 100 employees.
The course is offered in either a 90-hour or 150-hour length, with live instructor-led sessions via Zoom.
The next open session runs from June 20 through October 26. Don’t wait! Contact us today to sign up!
Contact Kristine Asselin at 978-630-9156 or email .
It’s the start of the busy spring building season — help us to kick it off at the Habitat NCM annual Spring Breakfast!
You’ll enjoy a scrumptious breakfast and hear news of our latest builds in Acton and Fitchburg, our Critical Home Repair program, meet our newest Acton homeowners, and celebrate long-term volunteers.
Our Keynote Speaker this year is RoxanaTrabulsi, author of Of Mud and Honey, a book about how strength, love and faith are pushed to their limits overnight as one family in Yemen embarks on the fight of their lives.
We really hope you can come to this fun and FREE event.
La Fundación Nacional para las Humanidades (NEH) ha otorgado a la Universidad Estatal de Fitchburg $500,000 para apoyar la construcción de un centro de artes escénicas en Main Street.
La subvención, anunciada el martes 18 de abril, fue otorgada por el programa NEH Challenge Grant y catalizará esfuerzos adicionales de recaudación de fondos por parte de la universidad.
La subvención de la NEH apoyará la construcción de un teatro “caja negra” de 15,830 pies cuadrados adyacente al histórico teatro en 717 Main St., en el corazón del centro de Fitchburg. El nuevo espacio apoyará a los estudiantes universitarios y a la comunidad, sirviendo como un laboratorio de aprendizaje de humanidades aplicadas para los estudiantes, así como un mecanismo para impulsar la revitalización del centro a través de experiencias artísticas y culturales ampliadas.
El presidente de la universidad, Richard S. Lapidus, dijo que la exitosa solicitud de estos competitivos fondos de subvención fue una validación de la creencia institucional en la importancia de las humanidades en el futuro de la educación superior.
“Estamos agradecidos al NEH por apoyar esta asociación público-privada que será transformadora para nuestros estudiantes, al tiempo que mejorará la calidad de vida en la ciudad y la región”, dijo el presidente Lapidus. “Este espacio teatral creará oportunidades de aprendizaje únicas para los estudiantes, proporcionará un recurso de vanguardia para grupos comunitarios e impulsará la continua revitalización del centro de Fitchburg”.”
El teatro tipo «caja negra», con capacidad para 250 personas, representa la segunda fase del proyecto, que comenzó con la adquisición por parte de la universidad de este teatro histórico en 2016. El edificio ya alberga el estudio de videojuegos de la universidad para estudiantes de último año de la carrera de diseño de videojuegos, así como el ideaLab interdisciplinario que apoya el desarrollo y el crecimiento de empresas nuevas y existentes en la comunidad. Desde su creación, el ideaLab ha prestado servicios a 257 pequeñas empresas, entre las que se incluyen 150 propietarios de ingresos bajos a moderados, 115 mujeres propietarias y 88 propietarios inmigrantes o que aprenden inglés como segunda lengua (ESL), y ha otorgado subvenciones y préstamos por un total de $3.37 millones.
La caja negra también incluirá infraestructura que servirá para la futura renovación del propio teatro histórico. Cuando se complete, el lugar comprenderá el Fitchburg State University Performing Arts Center. El proyecto complementa los importantes esfuerzos de desarrollo en el centro de la ciudad, incluida la restauración del City Hall, la próxima renovación de la Biblioteca Pública de Fitchburg y la conversión de la antigua B.F. Brown School en 60 unidades de espacios de vivienda/trabajo para artistas.
Se espera que la construcción de la caja negra comience en 2024.
Join Mirick O’Connell’s Labor, Employment Benefits Team for this informative half-day seminar. We will discussing a variety of topics designed to assist HR professionals and business lenders as they attempt to successfully navigate challenging employment issues.
We are pleased to announce that North Central Massachusetts is hosting the Baystate Games this summer. The Baystate Games organization runs amateur sport competitions across the state of Massachusetts and is hosting a majority of its summer sports competitions in our region for the first time. These events present a tremendous marketing opportunity for you and our area. Last year, they held a couple events at Game On in Fitchburg and are returning this year with eight different sports, making it their largest venue for their Summer Games. Sports include soccer, field hockey, volleyball, wrestling and others.
The schedule includes:
One event before – June 24
Additional events – July 6-9
Softball tournament at Devens – July 11-13
Trap shooting at North Leominster Rod & Gun Club in Lunenburg — date TBD
They anticipated participant attendee numbers to include:
Athletes 1,500+
Families/Spectators: 2,000 – 3,000
Coaches, officials, volunteers, trainers, medical staff, event staff: 200+
New Business & Promotional Opportunity:
Visit North Central MA businesses have the opportunity to provide special offer to all attendees
Registration for games opens March 1st; they are hoping to send out all material of discounts by mid-June
Local businesses which could benefit from this event include:
Restaurants
Retail Stores
Attractions
Lodging
The offer is up to each participating business, for example:
% or $ discount
2 for 1 specials
Each Baystate Games attendee will have an authorized identification badge to show at your business indicating they qualify for the offer.
Baystate Games has a data base of 5,000-6,000 athletes.
They will promote North Central Massachusetts and the participating businesses on their:
tabling opportunity at the events to promote the region
We hope you will be able to take advantage of this opportunity. Please complete the form below at your earliest convenience. Please let us know if you have any questions.
2023 Baystate Games - Promotional Opportunity
North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | Chamber of Commerce | Bay State Games | Chamber Member
Do you feel like your business is stuck? Frustrated because you’ve tried so many things to grow your business and nothing seems to work?
On April 12th, challenge The Chamber’s “Profit Finder”, Brian Carmody, who says he can find $100,000 in new revenue and profit for your business in under 1 hour!
Only 9 appointment slots are available for business owners that day.
Sign up before your competition does for this potentially life-changing experience.
Servicio de Noticias de la Casa del Estado Author: Michael P. Norton
Attorney General Andrea Campbell announced the settlement with the Workers’ Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau and the State Rating Bureau, saying it will enable businesses to save about $130 million on workers’ comp insurance starting July 1.
“By lowering workers’ compensation insurance rates, we can help better protect workers and ensure that small businesses can offer higher wages, better benefits and lower prices,” Campbell said in a statement.
The attorney general’s office is a participant in the trial-like rate cases that are heard by the Division of Insurance and lead to rate resets. Campbell’s office said this year’s case started earlier than is required by statute because the AG “secured an order requiring that rates be reviewed sooner than the usual two-year cycle.”
Massachusetts insurers wanted to cut the average statewide workers’ compensation insurance rates by 4 percent starting in July, according to the Workers’ Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau’s December filing with state insurance regulators. Campbell’s office said the AG “identified shortcomings in the industry’s projections and argued for a larger decrease.”
Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | Massachusetts Business | Massachusetts Economy | Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce | Chamber of Commerce | Government Affairs | State House News Service | Workers’ Comp Insurance Rates
North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Strategic Plan Overview 2022-2025
Plan aligns with One North Central Regional Economic Development Plan focused on regional prosperity, market opportunities
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce today announced a new strategic plan designed to build upon the considerable momentum generated through the keen vision and steady execution of their prior plan announced in 2018.
“Our new strategic plan capitalizes upon the successes experienced over the past four years while also acknowledging a significant number of emerging opportunities and challenges currently facing our region,” said Roy Nascimento, President and CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “At the same time, it incorporates many of the invaluable recommendations of Uno del norte central, our comprehensive regional economic development plan commissioned by the Chamber in concert with our local partners and unveiled in 2021.”
The 2023-2025 plan includes five goals focusing on specific areas with accountable metrics and targets:
Goal 1: Strengthen the regional economy and improve the overall business climate;
Goal 2: Promote the region as an ideal place to live, work, visit and invest;
Goal 3: Partner with educational, business and non-profit communities to address the region’s growing workforce development needs;
Goal 4: Deepen the region’s understanding of complex issues, identify collaborative solutions and advocate to key decision makers and stakeholders;
Goal 5: Position the Chamber for long-term sustainability and success.
The strategic plan, which was approved by the Chamber Board and its affiliate Boards from North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation and Visit North Central Massachusetts, was prepared via a comprehensive process that included input from members, the Boards, staff and other stakeholders. The new strategic plan complements the One North Central plan while aligning with the Chamber’s advocacy agenda.
“We made great strides in achieving key goals set forth in our previous plan,” said Nascimento. “From launching a localized online jobs resource and a Latinx business initiative to better engage and support Latinx small businesses to securing nearly four million dollars in state, federal and private funding to supporting lending efforts and regional economic development, we are pleased with our work and look forward to continuing the momentum over the next three years.”
Programs and projects will be undertaken with care and consideration of actual resources of the Chamber and its members. The plan is also a fluid document of which the Chamber will update as needed to reflect the changing world.
Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | North Central Regional Economic Development Plan | North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation | Visit North Central Massachusetts
The Healey-Driscoll Administration and Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) announced two new grant programs totaling $78 million in funding to support Massachusetts small businesses.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our communities and our economy,” said Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey. “Through these new grant programs, small businesses will have access to much-needed capital and resources to help them grow and thrive. We’re grateful to our partners in the Legislature for allocating these critical funds.”
The Inclusive Recovery Grant Program will provide up to $75 million in funding through grants of up to $75,000 for businesses owned by people of color, women, veterans, immigrants, individuals with disabilities, or those who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community; businesses that focus on reaching markets predominantly made up of socially and economically disadvantaged and historically underrepresented groups; and other underserved markets.
The Independent Movie Theater Grant Program will provide a total of $3 million in funding to support movie theaters in Massachusetts. Eligible applicants can receive $15,000 for each of the first two screens they add at a particular location and $10,000 for each additional screen at a particular location.
These funds will be administered by MGCC and were appropriated through the Commonwealth’s FY2023 Economic Development Bill.
“Small businesses employ half the workforce in our state and account for the majority of all our businesses,” said Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “We’re pleased this targeted funding will support small business owners that have traditionally struggled to access needed capital and those serving historically underrepresented populations.”
“Our small business owners and entrepreneurs, many of whom are women, people of color, veterans, and immigrants, need access to capital in order to get their ventures off the ground and expand their footprint in Massachusetts,” said Massachusetts Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. “We are grateful to MGCC for playing an important role in empowering small business owners and advancing equitable business growth across the state.”
“These programs provide an accessible and streamlined process for underserved businesses to access the capital that will be instrumental to their growth,” said Larry Andrews, President and CEO of MGCC. “Our extensive network of community partners is actively reaching out to their local businesses to provide the necessary technical assistance to assist through the application process.”
Applications are now being accepted for both programs and are available here (https://www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org/). The deadline to apply is Friday, April 28, 2023. Businesses interested in applying must fill out and submit the online application along with required documentation.
Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | North Central Massachusetts Chamber | Massachusetts Economy | Government Affairs | Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) | Healey-Driscoll Administration | Small Businesses New Grant Programs
Travel and Tourism Season Extension grant to support marketing projects that promote travel and tourism during “shoulder season”
Three leading tourism organizations in Central Massachusetts today announced they will receive a combined $1 million Travel and Tourism Season Extension (TTSE) Grant from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT). Discover Central Massachusetts, in partnership with MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau and Visit North Central Massachusetts, announced the grant during a special event at Mechanics Hall in Worcester.
The grant, which is funded through the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Agency, will be provided over two years to support the partnership of the three organizations.
“These Travel and Tourism Season Extension grants support regional marketing projects that promote travel and tourism attractions between the months of November through April, known as the ‘shoulder season,’” said Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism Executive Director Keiko Matsudo Orrall. “We have an amazing state to showcase, and these funds will enhance tourism recovery during this important part of the year.”
“This is a great opportunity for all of our organizations to come together and share our collective attractions with leisure travelers, sports families, groups and convention attendees, among many others,” said Monique Messier, President, Discover Central Massachusetts. “By making this a collaborative effort with the MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau and Visit North Central Massachusetts, we can unify our position as an attractive and competitive destination not just in Massachusetts but throughout New England and on the East Coast.”
Target cities include Boston, Mass., Providence, R.I., Manchester, N.H., New York City and surrounding suburbs, and Canada, with outcomes of increased tourism revenue, website traffic, newsletter subscriptions, and a larger social media following expected.
“The project is consistent with economic development goals in our region as we continue to recover from losses in visitor spending, tourism payroll and tax dollars which occurred during the pandemic,” said Roy Nascimento, President and CEO, Visit North Central Massachusetts. “This is an exciting opportunity to enhance our existing efforts and grow our tourism industry for the benefit of our businesses and communities.”
The campaign will connect experiences and opportunities across more than 80 cities and towns represented by the three destination marketing organizations.
“This collaboration expands the impact of our national and international campaigns far beyond what any of us could do working alone” said Erin Lynch, Executive Director, MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau. “These partnerships weave together a story showcasing the tremendous assets and opportunities for exploration within our regions, driving a significant boost for our local economies.”
About Discover Central MA
Discover Central MA’s mission is to market Central Massachusetts as a competitive destination for travel and tourism, attracting visitors, national conventions, meetings and events. As a membership-based, destination marketing organization, DCM advocates for the growth and health of the local tourism industry. Membership is available to hospitality and tourism businesses in Worcester and 34 surrounding communities in the Central Mass. region. To stay up to date, follow Discover Central MA on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Linkedin, YouTube, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter.
About the MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau
As the only regional organization with the mission of stimulating the MetroWest economy by marketing the region’s assets, MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau has served hundreds of businesses, nonprofit agencies, and municipalities since its founding. This independent nonprofit organization markets the region’s cultural and recreational venues, retailers, restaurants, accommodations, and educational and other services to visitors and residents alike. These marketing efforts also serve to brand the region, to build collaborations across sectors and towns, to support jobs-producing enterprises, and to celebrate the diverse and vibrant MetroWest community. Learn more about the MWVB by visiting www.metrowestvisitors.org or by following on social media @visitmetrowest.
About Visit North Central Massachusetts
Visit North Central Massachusetts (VNCM) is the official designated Regional Tourism Council serving the 27 cities and towns of North Central Massachusetts. One of the sixteen Massachusetts Regional Tourism Councils, the organization’s primary mission is to educate the traveling public, tourists and residents of North Central Massachusetts about the many historical, cultural and hospitality related sites within this scenic New England Region. Through this mission, VNCM works collectively with local attractions, hospitality businesses and local communities to market the North Central region as a destination and provide information and services to the traveling public. The North Central Massachusetts region is comprised of the communities of Ashburnham, Ashby, Athol, Ayer, Barre, Bolton, Clinton, Devens, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Harvard, Hubbardston, Lancaster, Leominster, Lunenburg, Pepperell, Petersham, Phillipston, Princeton, Royalston, Shirley, Sterling, Templeton, Townsend, Westminster, and Winchendon. For more information about Visit North Central Massachusetts please visit www.visitnorthcentral.com or call 978-353-7604.
Media Contact:
Lauren Howe
empHowered PR
978-400-3036
Chamber of Commerce | North Central Massachusetts | Worcester County | Discover Central MA | Visit North Central Massachusetts | Visit North Central Local Tourism | Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) | Discover Central MA | MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau | U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Agency | Travel and Tourism Season Extension (TTSE) Grant
